Toyota Previa 1992

Model Previa made in 1992 by Toyota got 40 consumer complains as well as 2 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding equipment. The car has one 2.4l engine.

Model 1992

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
( 2.4L) 4Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsRWD17/22/1919/28/22Regular$ 94715910821
( 2.4L) 4Manual, 5 gearsRWD18/22/2020/28/23Regular$ 90015910821
( 2.4L) 4Lockup/automatic, 4 gears4WD17/20/1819/26/22Regular$ 100115910821
( 2.4L) 4Manual, 5 gears4WD17/20/1819/26/22Regular$ 100115910821

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
08049808/04/1998605351Brief information regarding improved rear a/c magnetic valve to reduce internal valve corrosion. *tt06/08/1999
EQUIPMENT - MECHANICAL - WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES
AX0049903/19/1999604667Subject regarding toyota dinghy towing guide. *tt05/07/1999

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
 While driving 65mph a deer appeared out of nowhere & was hit. upon impact with deer, neither air bags deployed.*ak
 Was in a head-on collision and the driver's side air bag didn't deploy . please describe . *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
 Purchase truck new dealer replaced camshaft two occasions and have to replace it again don't have problem when its summer only cold weather . tt
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
12/01/19971208/01/1992
 Driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle will suddenly begin to slow down, will come to a complete stop, without pressing the brakes. consumer tries to push the gas pedal to accelerate, causing the brakes to burn , intermittent problem. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
 While driving exhaust system would make loud/horrible/rattling noises. took vehicle to dealership & was informed by mechanic that flex tube was causing the problem. it was also affecting the catalytic converter & both needed to be replaced. *ak
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
06/24/2002212/01/2093
 In a yahoo.com auto review a faulty expansion valve may cause the air conditioner to gradually loose efficiency in 1992 and 1993 toyota previas i believe this is my problem for i discovered i have plenty of freon inside.*ak
10/01/1997105/01/1992
 Air conditioner failed.
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
05/05/1994205/01/1994
 Cassette tape will eject after started to play. cd player has developed a one side only in on while the other side is completely off. with several attempts to operate of no luck.
1
 Radio amplifier caught fire.
EQUIPMENT - MECHANICAL - CARRIER/RACK
10/23/19942
 Spare carrier failed twice due to carrier hook being reversed, causing tire to fall off/tire bent rear lateral link at rear axle.*skd
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS
111/23/1996
 Identification plate on inside of door frame on driver's side indicates that vehicle is equipped with 15 tires, however this vehicle is equipped with 14 tires.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP
04/12/199707/01/1992
 When opening fuel filler tank cap, a three foot flame shot out from it. continued to burn until put out.suspected, it ignited from the static electricity from person opening fuel tank cover. *ak
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
01/07/20091000001
 Toyota previa. manufacture dates between 1989 till 1993? but my 1992 toyota previa has a safety issue. the driver's door lock keeps on malfunctioning (will not open or operate properly) until lately (now/today), it will neither open from the outside or from the inside. all because of a bad spring that is attached (no longer) to the locking actuator. this is a safety issue in part of when the vehicle gets into an accident, emergency crew or the drivers cannot exit the vehicle. drivers had to use the passengers door. this is unsatisfactory. if this is not a safety issue due in part to the negligence and knowledge of the toyota corp. then we are really in dire straits for this country that i love. thank you. *tr
11/12/2005170000103/30/2004
 For the last 10 months the electric driver's side lock on my 1992 toyota previa has been malfunctioning sporadically. sometimes it would work fine, others it would work manually. recently, the electronic lock has failed to function by any means, electronically or manually. i believe this could be a serious problem in the event of an accident or vehicle fire wherein i would only be able to exit the passenger side assuming i can move over and do so. i have researched this extensively on the internet and apparently this seems to be a common problem for this vehicle and yet there was never either a recall or a warning/repair notice issued. *jb
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH
01/24/2000006/01/1992
 Front driver's side door won't open . took vehicle to dealer, and there would be a charge for repairs because car was not under warranty. also, vehicle was unsafe because consumer had to slide across the seat to get out. *ak
07/15/1996108/01/1995
 Driver's side door jammed, caused by faulty mechanism inside of door assembly; to exit, occupant climbs over passenger's seat or exits from sliding door; in event of an accident, could be trapped inside. *ak *jb
PARKING BRAKE - CONVENTIONAL
07/15/2001112/01/1991
 On 7/15/2001 i drove my wife's previa and noticed that it seemed to have an unusual amount of drag while gliding while in drive as if the brakes were somehow on, although neither the main brakes nor the parking brake were on. one day later, my toyota dealer tells me that it was a sticking parking brake and that it would cost $490 (!!) to fix. a few calls to other mi toyota dealerships confirmed that it's not an unusual problem at all. since the parking brake drum and shoe unit is separate from the rear disc brake rotors, but still enclosed from the weather, i have no idea as to why this would be such a common problem. the cost of $490 is about what a full dealer done brake job would cost if none of the rotors had to be replaced. it seems to me, and many other car owners were they asked, that brakes can wear out but for the environment to cause terminal deterioration in such an important system is beyond comprehension. a high volume dealership service manager told me that they don't ever allow their mechanics to touch the parking brakes because of the common occurrence of having those brakes seize up. how's that for reliability? (or is it plain liability?) plaese notify me if any others have reported this problem or if they have merely passively coughed uo the $500 bucks and 'gotten on with it.*ak
POWER TRAIN
109/04/1992
 Speedometer/odometer malfunctioned, did not give correct readings for the miles traveled and after having been stopped for speeding on interstate 95. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
02/10/2009500001
 1992 toyota previa accessory shaft was replaced 4 times, at the rate of 1 every 50,000 miles. going bad for the 5th time now. common problem from other owners of this model. *tr
01/01/2001
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
07/30/1998
 The auxilliary driveshaft is making noise. owner took vehicle in for check up, and was informed that the driveshaft needs to be replaced. dealer suggests that vehicle not be driven. *ak
SEATS
1
 The metal/aluminium bracket which holds the middle seat behind the driver and front passenger seat fell off.
06/01/1996
 Metal bracket came loose from the middle bench seat, the seat just collapsed, so no one can sit there. took to dealer and they called manufacturer who insisted that they are not responsible because car is out of warranty. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
12/01/19971208/01/1992
 Driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle will suddenly begin to slow down, will come to a complete stop, without pressing the brakes. consumer tries to push the gas pedal to accelerate, causing the brakes to burn , intermittent problem. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
01/02/1995
 Abs brake system locked up in wet weather vehicle could not be stopped and driver went into a ditch. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
06/27/1996604/30/1992
 Front brake pads released from brake disc, also replaced front brake rotors/calipers and drums. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
06/27/1996604/30/1992
 Front brake pads released from brake disc, also replaced front brake rotors/calipers and drums. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
06/27/1996604/30/1992
 Front brake pads released from brake disc, also replaced front brake rotors/calipers and drums. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
10/12/1999110/01/1991
 A day or two after transporting a full load (six passengers plus driver, no luggage) and passing over a small bump on the access to a bridge on a main road (pr-2) the brake fluid started coming out the center metal brake lines that are attached to the rear differential of the vehicle. i took the vehicle,driving very slowly, stopping to add brake fluid' to a brake shop where a temporary repair was done. new brake lines were ordered from the us, as they were not available locally. *ak
STEERING
06/01/1999105/01/1992
 Supplemental driveshaft needs to be replaced in most previas costing $1000
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
05/01/1998
 Electronic solenoid valve manfunctions. when this occurs consumer is not able to exit vehicle. the dealer and manufacturer has been notified. *ak
01/01/1996
 Sliding door intermittently freeze due to moisture getting inside the door. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM
10001/01/1992
 The accessary shaft is defective and to change the bushing you have to change the whole shaft which cost about $850. all the dealers know about the problem and in almost all the previa's from the yr 1991 to 1993 accessary shaft have been replaced. please take a look at this problem.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT
06/14/199606/01/1992
 Son was going down freeway vehicle pulled to the right/lost control and rolled over one and a half times due to defective macpherson strut. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
03/01/19951
 Front wheel bearings failed twice. *dsh
TIRES - SIDEWALL
11/10/2003107/10/2002
 Front tires were showing cracks in sidewall. *ak
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CRUISE CONTROL
05/06/2004100000103/01/1992
 While braking cruise control would not shut off. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak *nm
VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
05/24/200644000110/01/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated the passenger side power window was accidentally powered up and the passengers hand was pinned to the top of the window. the power window would not release nor would it power down. the window was physically pulled down enough to release the hand. minor injuries to the hand were sustained. the dealer and manufacturer have not been alerted. updated 12/12/2006 - later the consumer discovered that she had accidentally locked the windows. apparently the consumer had pressed the window lock button when she originally close the window. the consumer believes there should be some type of sensor to prevent the windows from being locked shut. *nm
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
10/12/19955
 Windshield wiper blades hit each other and crumple up causing right blade to stop operating; results zero visibility on left side. tt *jb
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - LINKAGES
10/12/19955
 Windshield wiper blades hit each other and crumple up causing right blade to stop operating; results zero visibility on left side. tt *jb